tmu Tourismus Marketing Uckermark GmbH

Stettiner Strasse 19 17291 Prenzlau

Phone +49 (0)3984 835883info@tourismus-uckermark.de

Simply natural: Uckermark

Up in the north east of the March of Brandenburg, wind turbines rotate on the horizon and the hustle and bustle of city life feels like a distant memory. And yet here is a place with its finger firmly on the pulse: regional producers, energy suppliers and small family businesses are all driving sustainable development as part of an eco-friendly tourism network.

When the glaciers of the last ice age thawed, they left behind more than 500 lakes, ponds, fens and streams. Today, around 60 per cent of this area is protected by nature and landscape conservation orders: to the west lies Uckermark Lakes Nature Park, bordered by the Havel river, to the east is Lower Oder Valley National Park and at the heart of it all is the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve. The people of Uckermark take pride in their unspoilt, unpretentious and authentic region. Protecting the environment has become part of the philosophy for many establishments here, and natural tourism is the goal. And as a tourist in the region, you can do your bit too – it’s simple.

Walking: travel as nature intended

The Märkischer Landweg Trail runs all the way through the Uckermark region. Covering 217 kilometres in ten sections, it crosses four protected landscapes from the Feldberg Lakes in Mecklenburg to the Oder river. Along the 170km Uckermärker Landrunde (Uckermark Country Loop), the scenery varies from shady oak forests to glistening lakes and medieval villages. Of the many established day routes for ambitious hikers and walkers, the Doppelte Boitzenburger (Double Boitzenburg) in the Uckermark region was voted Germany’s most beautiful walking trail.

Let your eyes and ears guide you

Regional nature guides can show you how to get even more out of the great outdoors. Walking experts know where the black woodpeckers, owls, pine martens, dormice and bats dwell. Experts on the water guide you to hidden spots by canoe or raft. And one particular expert brings along a special long-eared travel companion. Join her for donkey walks in the biosphere reserve.

Listed country houses given a new lease of life

The collection of buildings on Gutshof Kraatz country estate have been converted into holiday homes using green building materials. The cider brewed on site here uses old fruit varieties that have been rediscovered. Gutshaus Friedenfelde serves wholegrain cakes and other dishes (including allergen-free options) from a sustainably managed café set within its cosy parlour. Meanwhile, the Immenstube restaurant near Chorin Abbey prepares dishes using honey varieties sourced from its very own beehives.

Pioneers in green energy

In Prenzlau the world’s first ever hydrogen-hybrid power station is producing hydrogen from wind energy. This functions as an energy store that is used in a biogas generator to provide energy when the wind drops.

Highlights

More than 1,000 kilometres of signposted walking trails, including several quality-certified routes